Closure and reinforcer for cigarette and like packages



oct. 22, 1940. E, PAYER Er A'L lwww@ CLOSURE AND REINFORCER FOR CIGARETTE AND LIKE PACKAGES .Filed Nov. 4, 193s INVENTORS Elsa@ Payer x @ruck BYMd G ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 22, 1940 l PATENT orrlcsV CLOSURE AND REINFORCER FOR CIG- ARET'IE` AND LIKE PACKAGES Elsie Fayer and Max Gonck, New York, N. Y.

Application November 4, 1938, Serial No. 238,714

6 Claims.

This invention relates to new and .useful improvements in a closure andreinforcer for cigarettes and the like packages.

More Specifically, the invention proposes the construction of a closure and reinforcement for cigarette and the like packages characterized by the provision of a sheet material body having vertical sides and end Walls for encasing the ends of the cigarettes and being disposed Abetween the cigarettes and the inner walls of the package.

Still further the invention proposes the provision of a top wall connecting the central portions of the side Walls of the body in a particular manner to form openings at the ends of said body through which cigarettes may be ejected when one corner of the package is torn open.

Still further the -invention proposes the provision of a slide mounted intimately below the top wall of said body and slidably mounted on the side walls in a manner to be extended across either of the end openings insaid body to close the said openings regardless of which corner of the package is torn open.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a pair of slidesmounted below said top Wall and each being independently extendable across one of the end openings in said body for closing the same.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a means for mounting the slide or slides upon the side walls of said body in a particular manner to be extendable across said openings.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, refer* ence will be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawing forming a material part of this disclosure:

l is a perspective View of a cigarette package having a closure and reinforcer constructed according to this invention.

Fig. 2-lis a sectional View of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the closure and reinforcer per se.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the line lof Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a sectional View on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a closure and reinforcer constructed according to a modification of the invention.

(Cl. .2M-41.2)

Fig. 7 is a sectional view on the line 1 1' of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a side elevational View of a closure and reinforcer constructed according to another embodiment of this invention.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view on the line 9 9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary perspective View, similar to Fig. 3 but illustrating another form of the invention. f

Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional View on the line II-ll of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is another perspective view similar to Fig. 3, but illustrating a still further ynfiooli'led form of the invention.

Fig. 13 is a perspective View of a modified slide leaf.

Fig. 14 is a similar View to Fig. 6 but illustrating the arrangement shown in Figs. 12 and 13.

The closure and reinforcer for cigarette and the like packages, according to this invention, includes a sheet material body l!) having vertical side walls |08# and end walls 10b for engaging within the top portion of a cigarette package H immediately adjacent the cigarettes i2 contained therein. The sheet material body iii is constructed of sheet metal or other material yand is integrally formed withv a top wall itc which connects the central portions of the top edges of the side walls Ilia. In forming the sheet material body the ends of the side Walls lila are bent inwards and secured together in face conf tact as shown in Fig. 3 for forming the end walls Ib. The ends of the cigarettes I2 are adapted to be inserted into the sheet material body Il before the package II is engaged therearound.

The package Il consists of an inner wrapper IIa of paper or other material upon which a wrapper Ilb of a metallic foil is mounted. A second paper wrapper IIc is superimposed upon the metallic foil wrapper IIb and extends only to the top of the package II and is imprinted on its outer face with a suitable design and the name of the cigarette. A Cellophane AWrapper lId is positioned upon the paper wrapper I!C and the upperv ends of the paper wrapper Ila, the metallic foil wrapper I Ib, and the Cellophane Wrapper I Id are folded over the top end of the cigarettes I2 as shown in Fig. 2. The top wall 06 of the sheet material body I0 lies immediately adjacent the paper wrapper Il@ Where it is folded over the top of the cigarettes I2.

A slide I3 is slidably mounted intimately beneath the top wall Illc of the sheet material body I0 and upon the side Walls Illev and is adapted to be extended in one direction or the other to close the top openings of said body to either side of the top wall IOC.

The side walls Ia adjacent the top edges thereof are formed with inwardly extending grooves IEW, while the top edges of the side walls IIIa are bent inwards forming tracks I4 into which the edges of the slide I3 are extended for slidably supporting the same to permit the slide to be extended in either direction with relation to the top wall IGC.

The ends of the slide I3 are formed with outwardly extending lugs I5 stamped from the material of the slide and bent upwards to form abutment-s behind which ones finger nail may be engaged for moving the slide in either direction. The upwardly extending lugs I5 are resilient in construction and when engaged beneath the top wall IIIc they act to hold the slide I3 in a closed position to prevent it from accidentally moving to an open position.

The operation of this device is as follows:

The closure and reinforcement is mounted within the cigarette package at the time when the cigarettes are packed. When purchased the customer opens one corner of the package in the conventional manner for exposing the upper ends of a cigarette I2 to permit its removal through the end openings formed in the sheet material body lil. After the removal of the desired cigarette, and regardless of which corner of the package is opened, the slide I3 may be extended across the open end opening of the sheetmaterial body for closing the package to prevent the cigarettes from drying out.

In extending the slide I3 across the open end of the sheet material body I ones finger nail is engaged behind the proper lug I and the slide manually pushed in the desired direction for closing the said opening.

According to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 6 and 7 the slide I3 is constructed of separate slide members I3a which are mounted in superimposed positions below the top Wall IGC of the sheet materialbody III. Each of the slides I3a is slidably supported in one pair of superimposed tracks I4 formed in the side walls II)EL adjacent the top edges thereof. Opposite ends of the slide members I3@ are formed with upwardly extending lugs I5 forming abutments for ones finger nail to permit the slide to be engaged across the open ends of the sheet material body. The side walls Il may be glued or cemented as at IIId either at one or both sides to the inner wall of the Vinner wrapper IIa of the package. In other respects this form of the invention is similar to the previous form.

According to the modification shown in Figs. 8 and 9 the construction of the closure and reinforcement is similar to that disclosed in Figs. 1 to 5 and differs therefrom in the means for slidably supporting the slide I3. In this form of the invention the slide I3 is slidably supported by means of headed studs I5 which are mounted upon the sides of the slides I3'. The shank portions I52L of the headed studs I6 pass through elongated slots I'I formed in the side walls Ille adjacent the top edges thereof in a manner to permit the slide to be immediately adjacent the bottom face of the top wall IUC. In other respects this form of the invention is similar to the previous form.

In Figs. l() and 11 the end wall IIIb is shown with a downward projection Ibb vto reinforce the vertical end wall of the package. The side walls IIJa of the reinforcing device are formed with cutout portions 20 which permits ready gripping of the cigarettes within the package. The slide I3" is provided with complementary tab portions 2| which project downwardly in alignment with the cutout portion 20, when the slide I3 ispulled into closing position. The tabs 2| may be folded upwardly to permit ready sliding of member I3 and may also be used as a handle for pulling the slide. In other respects .this form of the invention is Vsimilar to the previous form.

In Figs. 12, 13 and 14 the top wall Il)cc is provided with 2 slots 22, to form a center portion 23 of the top Wall Il)cc which is depressed so as to permit the slide I3" to be supported above the center portion 23 and below the outer portions 24 of the top wall IUCC. In this form of the invention 2 slide members I3" may be used which are Asimilar to the prior forms.

It is to be understood that this reinforcer may be of any suitable size and material and may be used either at one or both ends of cigarette or like packages.

While we have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of our invention, it is to be understood that We do not limit ourselves to the precise construction herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modiiications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A closure and reinforcement for cigarette and the like packages, comprising a sheet material body having vertical side and end walls for engaging within the top portion of a cigarette package immediately adjacent the wrapping thereof and a top wall connecting the central portions of the top edges of the side walls, a

siide intimately beneath said top wall and slidably mounted on said side walls and adapted to be extended in one direction or the other to close the top openings of said body to either side of said top wall, said slide at its ends being formed with upwardly extending lugs forming abutments for ones finger nail to permit said slide to be moved in the proper direction for closing the open end of said body.

2. A closure and reinforcement for cigarette and the like packages, comprising a sheet material body having vertical side and end walls for engaging within the top portion of a cigarette package immediately adjacent the wrapping thereof and a top wall connecting the central portions of the top edges of the side walls, a slide intimately beneath said top wall and slidably mounted on said side Walls and adapted to be extended in one direction or the other to close the top openings of said body to either side of said top wall, said slide at its ends being formed with upwardly extending lugs forming abutment for ones finger nail to permit said slide to be moved in the proper direction for closing the open end of said body, said lugs being resilient in construction and engageable against the bottom face of said top Wall for holding said slide in its closed position.

3. A closure and reinforcement for cigarette and the like packages, comprising a sheet material body having vertical side and end walls for engaging within the top portion of a cigarette package immediately adjacent the wrapping thereof and a Itop wall connecting the cen tralportions of the top edges of the side walls,

a slide intimately beneath said top wall and slidably mounted on said side walls and adapted to be extended in one direction or the other to close the top openings of said body to either side of said top wall, said side walls having their ends turned inwards and securely attached together in lace contact for holding said end walls, said slidable mounting of said slide comprising grooves formed in said side walls forming tracks in which the sides of said slide are slidably engaged, cutout portion in the upper edges of the said side wall, near their turned in portions, to facilitate the removal of the cigarettes from the package, complementary downwardly projecting tabs on said slide adapted 'to close the said cutout portion when the slide is in closing position.

4. A closure and reinforcement for cigarette and the like packages, comprising a sheet of material adapted to be extended across the top of a cigarette or the like package intermediate of its ends forming a partial top wall leaving the ends of the top exposed, side portions continuing from the sides of said sheet of material and bent at right angles to said sheet of material to extend along the sides of said package, a slide intimately beneath said partial top wall and slidably supported on said side portions and adapted to be extended to either side of said partial top wall to close the top of said package to either side of said top wall, said side portions having their ends directed towards each other and overlapped and securely attached together to prevent said side portions from spreading and releasing said slide.

5. A closure and reinforcement for cigarette and the like packages, comprising a sheet of material adapted to be extended across the top of a cigarette or the like package intermediate of its ends forming a partial -top wall leaving' and bent at right angles to'said sheet of material to extend along the sides of said package., a slide intimately beneath said partial top wall and slidably supported on said side portions and adapted to be extended to either side of said partial top wall to close the top of said package to either side of said top wall, said side portions having their ends directed towards each other and overlapped and securely attached together to prevent said side portions from spreading and releasing said slide, said side portions being formed with inwardly extending cutouts for acilitating the removal of the cigarettesjrom said package, and means on said slide for closing said cutouts when said slide is in its olosed'position.

6. A closure and reinforcement for cigarette and the like packages, comprising a sheet of material adapted to be extended across the top of a ciagaret-te or the like package intermediate of its ends forming a partial top wall leaving the ends of the top exposed, side portions continuing from the sides of said sheet of material and bent at right angles to said sheet of material to extend along the sides of said package, a slide intimately beneath said partial top wall and slidably supported on said side portions and adapted to be extended to either side of said partial top wall to close the top of said package to either' side of said top Wall, said side portions having their ends directed towards each other and overlapped and securely attached together to prevent said side portions from spreading and releasing said slide, said side portions being formed with inwardly extending cutouts for facilitating the removal of the cigarettes from said package, and means on said slide for closing said cutouts when said slide is in its closed position, comprising downwardly extending projections formed on said slide and alignable with said cutouts.

ELSIE` FAYER. MAX GONICK. 

